12.06.2007

tragedy

yesterday afternoon, a 19 year-old man opened fire on a mall in omaha and killed nine people, including himself.

i'm a photographer for the paper in lincoln (a city just down the road from omaha), and i was sent to cover the event.

i'm from omaha.

i called and emailed family and friends to make sure they weren't shopping this afternoon. i haven't heard back from everyone, but i'm fairly confident that all my loved ones are safe.

i grew up in this city. i always felt safe.

it's scary. everyone always says they never expect these kinds of things to happen in their town.

not in my town. i know i've said that.

but yesterday it did.

please remember the families who lost someone in this tragedy. if you're religious, say a prayer. if you're not, please take a moment to reflect. then be sure to kiss your mom, daughter, son, father, husband, wife. . .